As early as 1901, a rich coal seam was discovered underground in this region. The mining concession was applied for and granted in 1906, but it would take until 1930 for the first load of coal to be brought to the surface. In an attempt to develop a different, newer mining method, exploitation was delayed for years due to numerous setbacks, before it was decided to return to the tried-and-true mining method. By then, the world had descended into war. A significant portion of the installations were seized by the German occupying forces. Finally, in 1930, the mining site was able to resume operations.

The coal mined was primarily bituminous coal. Since this was primarily used in heavy industry, the Belgian steel producers in Liège and the Borinage region were the main customers. The mine had three production levels: at 720, 800, and 900 meters, served by two shafts: an air and material shaft and a production shaft with four elevator cages. In 1955, this operation reached its peak with a production of 1.6 million tons of coal. Over the course of 60 years of operation, a total of nearly 75 million tons of coal were extracted here. Due to increasingly fierce competition from cheaper overseas coal and the rise of oil and nuclear energy, the fate of the Belgian coal mines was effectively sealed by the mid-1950s. The first mine in this region to fall victim to this closed in 1966. This mining site managed to survive until 1992, but was then also forced to close its doors.